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It's Not about the Crumbs! (Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales) |  |
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It's Not about the Crumbs! (Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales) | |
网友对It's Not about the Crumbs! (Easy-to-Read Wonder Tales)的评论
This easy-to-read kids' book re-tells three folktales from different cultures all featuring children outwitting an evil character who wants to eat them. The three re-tellings are framed by a story of three modern-day American kids from three different ethnic backgrounds telling each other these tales. The American kids point out the origins and similarities of the tales to the reader. The framing device is more than a bit forced. It feels very didactic.
The folktales are illustrated by black-and-white drawings in typical kids-book style---no frills. The lack of color, unfortunately extents to the proses. Stories that have thrilled, delighted, and enchanted for centuries are here rendered in colorless, dry, minimalist text. The telling details that make the traditional stories scary and memorable (the cottage made of sweet gingerbread irresistible to the hungry siblings and the blind witch tricked into believing Hansel is too thin to cook by being offered a gnawed bone to feel, for example) are entirely lacking. Stripped to their barest bones, the action in these stories seems just rather random and inexplicable. OK, maybe the crocodile in the African tale was a bit interesting but, on the whole, the book is dull as dishwater.
Reading this book, I can just picture the lesson plan it is intended to fulfill. I suggest that anyone wishing to teach that lesson simply turn to any of the abundant primary sources for the kind of lively, memorable language and imagery that has kept kids coming back to these tales time out-of-mind.
Reason for Reading: My son read aloud to me as his reader.
First I'd like to mention that the cover is not the neon green that it appears to be in the picture. All on-line images have the same shade, but it is actually a leaf green in real life, much more attractive! I loved this reader! My son loved this reader! Three children, who appear to be 9 or 10 year olds are doing something and talking and one of them mentions a few elements from a popular fairy tale, in this case Hansel and Gretel. Then another says that's not the version I've heard and they proceed to tell an ethnic version of the Hansel and Gretel story. The rest of the book follows this pattern until all three children have told a fairy/folk tale from around the globe that is similar in some way to the previous one. Then the final chapter brings us back to what the children were doing in the first place that brought the topic up.
Hansel and Gretel is explored here from a mixture of European sources, an African version and a Japanese version. Both my son and I greatly enjoyed the tales. He has been raised on fairy/folk tales and myths and it was exciting for him to be reading this material on his own. It was fun to notice the differences and the similarities with the original story and with each other. All three versions presented here were new to us. At the end of the book the author gives a very brief explanation as to what her source was for each tale, which could set one off on trying to find the original ethnic versions she mentions.
As to reading level, there is no reference to it on the books at all. It would have been nice had the publisher's actually determined the RL for the books in this series. Though the publisher's website does have a "browse & search" feature which will let you see for yourself whether they are appropriate for your child. I'm going to go out on a limb and say they are about equivalent with a Level 2 "I Can Read" Book. My son, who has learning disabilities, read the book very well with moderate help from me. The publisher describes the reading as "Written in short, easy phrases with carefully selected vocabulary..." but these are books the parent will have to see to judge whether they are up to your child's reading level. Otherwise, I never find anything wrong with a child reading a book that is too easy, if they enjoy it. We have the rest of the series and ds has already picked one to be his next reader!
It's Not about the Crumbs! explores parallel tales across countries in an easy to read book for kids. I was really impressed with the three versions of Hansel and Gretel that were presented. The reader is allowed to explore the story from a mixture of European sources, from an African version and then from a Japanese version. As an older reader, and one who loves reading the same tale from different perspectives, I had a great time reading all three and seeing where they had similarities!
As to reading level, although the book claims that it is "easy-to-read" and for younger readers, I'm not entirely sure what level this would be for. I can say that my first grade class would definitely have trouble with some of the words in this book. Although the tales are definitely written in kid-friendly language, there are also some concepts that they might not grasp or feel uncomfortable with.
I think this is definitely a great asset to parents who have reluctant readers! I would suggest that parents read it first though to see if it matches their child's reading level, and also to see if they are comfortable with the story matter. After all, we all know fairy tales can be a little dark at times. I think this is a solid addition to a shelf of books you can share with your children.
As a 2nd-5th grade teacher, I thought the cover of this book would attract students. I think it's great that someone is writing about the old classic stories and even putting a multi-cultural spin on it by including versions of Hansel and Gretel from other countries. It seemed like the 3 kids the appear on the cover aren't developed enough throughout the book and the "popcorn story" isn't quite developed enough either. The story could have had a better ending but the actual bulk of the story is great! I teach struggling and ELL 3rd graders and I would most likely need to assist them about 30% of the time for this book.
My daughter read this book on the way to church, and told us all about it all the way home. She especially liked how each of the children in the book told the same story as it is told in different countries around the world. She highly recommends this to our friends.
I liked this book because it started a conversation in our family about different cultures, and how they interpret stories we all know in slightly different ways. Thus incorporating things, animals, and people they are more familiar with.
Outstanding book!
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